The official establishment of the Croatian Navy began with the appointment of Admiral Sveto Letica as Commander of the Croatian Navy, pursuant to the decision of President Dr. Franjo Tuđman, the formation of its units officially began. The first vessel was the landing craft assault 103 captured at the “Greben“ Shipyard in Vela Luka, and 15 more vessels were seized in the Barracks “Kuline” in Šibenik, and the staff of the Naval Technical Repair Institute “Velimir Škorpik“ seized the Institute along with 19 other war ships. The ships, along with the crews of the coastal batteries, members of the naval infantry and civilian vessels and speedboats broke the naval blockade and expelled the enemy from the Croatian Adriatic.

The main marking ceremony was held in the “Lora Navy Port” in Split on 17 September, featuring  Navy members line-up and a display of the entire fleet. It was attended by the Advisor to the President of the Republic Dragan Lozančić, by the Defence Minister Mario Banožić as Envoy of the Prime Minister of the Republic of Croatia, by the Chief of the General Staff of the Croatian Armed Forces Admiral Robert Hranj and by the Commander of the Croatian Navy Rear Admiral Ivo Raffanelli. 

The senior officials paid respects in the Memorial Room to the fallen members of the Croatian Navy, and a mass was recited for the fallen Croatian defenders.    

Extending congratulations on behalf of the President of the Republic the Advisor Dragan Lozančić stated:

“The Croatian maritime tradition dates far back in history, and its most glorious moment are your feats and patriotism during the Homeland War. You are the greatest value of the Croatian Navy; continue protecting it, and our responsibility will be to support you through continuous investing into the Croatian Navy“

Addressing the attendees on behalf of the Prime Minister, the Defence Minister Mario Banožić expressed gratitude to the members of the Croatian Navy for their selflessness and sacrifice made during the Homeland War.

The Minister also underlined the importance of re-activation of the Naval Infantry Company in Ploče and the need for a strong Croatian Navy that can guarantee security in the Adriatic Sea at any time, and quoted some projects that underpin its development and capabilities: the continued construction of inshore patrol boats important for continuous monitoring of the territorial waters and the Exclusive Economic Zone; the overhaul of missile boats, to ensure strategic armament in the Adriatic Sea. The Minister announced the delivery of two dual-use speedy boats, procured in co-operation with the Ministry of Agriculture, which would enhance the capabilities of the Coast Guard.  

In view of the crucial role of the personnel, the Minister underlined the importance of the Military Maritime Studies, educating the future generations of naval officers. The Minister reminded that a Croatian crew and a vessel were serving in NATO’s Operation Sea Guardian, and that Croatian naval officers took part in 

Admiral Robert Hranj congratulated the Croatian Navy members and said it grew from scratch to grow into a force during the Homeland War, which beat the aggressor and today protecting the Croatian interests in the Adriatic Sea.

He also stated that the modernisation plans need to be harmonised with the capacities of the society, but also stressed that the focus needs to be on peacetime tasks of maritime safety, which necessitates the inshore patrol vessels and radar systems.

“The Croatian Navy has to continue developing the capabilities necessary for the assistance to the civilian institutions, and the development of the human potential as its major is a priority“, said Admiral Hranj.

Rear Admiral Ivo Raffanelli emphasised that over the past three decades the Croatian Army has successfully responded to the challenges of the times, and initiated equipping and modernisation projects aimed at developing capabilities and forces, to ensure protection of national interests and contribution within the collective defence system.

Stressing the importance of the Maritime Studies for the education of young naval officers, Rear Admiral Raffanelli stated:  “Investing into the education and training of the personnel is of absolute priority; we need educated and skilled seamen and highly motivated for this demanding vocation.

I believe in the young generations as a new force, to protect our sea and participate successfully in international missions, operations and exercises!”

On the occasion of the 29^th anniversary of the Croatian Navy the meriting members received promotions and commendations.   

The most important ongoing modernisation projects include the overhaul on the Kralj-class missile boats, whose engines are due to be delivered soon and to be introduced into operational service, and the project documents for the DBM-81 vessel are prepared; furthermore, modernisation of the fire control system and new missile systems on missile boats is under consideration. The keels for two more inshore patrol vessels were laid recently, and the last vessel is due for delivery by February 2023. A tactical study to outline the requests for procurement of a multi-purpose ship is under way, and procurement of used mine-hunters is also under consideration. The Navy also plans to modernise naval sea surveillance system by introducing new anti-ship, anti-submarine and anti-aircraft systems.  

The 4^th HRVCON is currently deployed to the Operation ATALANTA in Somalia, and the 3^rd HRVCON to NATO’s Operation “Sea Guardian“in the Mediterranean. Presently 49 members of the Croatian Navy are contributing in the peace missions worldwide.

Croatian version:

Vi mornari najveća ste vrijednost koju HRM ima